'Zero Waste' : Türkiye's path to sustainability

Recycling efforts are gaining traction worldwide, with significant initiatives in Türkiye and many other countries enabling the reuse of tons of waste. In Türkiye, the 'Zero Waste' initiative, launched in 2017 under the patronage of First Lady Emine Erdoğan and overseen by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, has seen growing success each year. The Zero Waste initiative has so far collected 45.5 million tons of recyclable waste, resulting in an economic benefit of 96 billion Turkish lira. Part of this initiative includes reducing the use of plastic bags, a practice that is increasingly being adopted worldwide. According to a United Nations report and Statista, 91 countries and regions have imposed bans or restrictions on plastic bags. Africa, in particular, has been at the forefront of these bans, largely due to the absence of a strong plastic industry lobby. Countries which do not have fully-established plastic waste management systems are more inclined to completely ban certain types of plastic bags. Meanwhile, European countries tend to implement measures such as charging fees or taxes to limit plastic bag usage. These measures are commonly taken in many countries outside Europe as well. The Deposit Management System aims to promote sustainability, reduce environmental damage, and preserve the economic value that is often lost with single-use packaging. The system will apply to packaging sizes from 0.1 to 3 liters, offering consumers a refund for returned bottles and cans. Another significant project under the Zero Waste initiative is the Deposit Management System, which aims to ensure that potentially polluting products are collected with the help of consumers, rather than being carelessly discarded into the environment. The system involves a deposit fee on specific products determined by the Ministry of Environment, which is refunded when the product is returned after use. As of mid-2024, approximately 30 countries, including Ecuador, most of Australia and Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia, and all of Scandinavia, have implemented similar recycling systems. In the United States, a plastic bottle deposit system is in place in 10 states, including California, New York, and Michigan.